A Vintage Wedding at Eden Gardens State Park in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

Mae Coffman (24) and Charles Coffman (29) met right before she joined the Navy and got engaged by the time Mae graduated boot camp. Charles popped the question at the top of the Navy Pier's ferris wheel. Mae spent the next year planning their Florida wedding from 3,000 miles away in Hawaii! One thing she did have a hands-on-approach with was choosing the venue. Mae brought her mother and best friend to visit Eden Gardens State Park in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. “The house, the scenery, the "wedding tree," as the park calls it, they were all just absolutely perfect,” says Mae. The wedding tree became the focal point of her and Charles' ceremony. Vintage lanterns at different heights lined the front of the couple’s aisle as rows of white folding chairs faced the tree. A turquoise desk, wooden boxes, additional lanterns and burlap accents were spread throughout the venue for added decor. “I wanted something rustic, romantic and fun,” says Mae. Her and Charles’ pink and neutral color palette was reflected in the outdoor reception. String lighting hung overhead as ivory linens and turquoise chevron runners covered each round table. Mason jars filled with pink roses and white Gerbera daisies were placed at the center alongside white lanterns. The couple’s family and friends also helped to provide a personal touch to the reception. Mae and Charles served a catered dinner of Filipino cuisine made by a family friend, a three-tiered pink wedding cake baked by Charles’s mother and additional desserts made by Mae's aunt. “I just loved being able to have my family and friends play such a huge role in our wedding,” says Mae.